Random ramblings and observations

Organizing: A Way of Life for Filofax Lovers

I’ve always loved Filofax and have never really been able to accommodate an electronic version of planning my diary simply because I enjoy the look and feel of having a Filofax to hand. The start of a new year is always fun for me because I can flip through the crisp new pages of the diary and start adding all the things to look forward to as the months go on. It wasn’t until I joined Instagram that I realized there is a world of ‘Planner Addicts’ out there; people who collect an amazing amount of Filofax’s, organizers or planners and use them to accommodate their needs; some use a different planner for each month of the year or simply to reflect their mood at that particular time.

Not only have Filofax become so popular among the planning community, the use of washi tape, Kawaii stickers and post-it notes has also joined in the party. These items are essential and some users will go to amazing lengths to make their weekly pages look sparkling and full of cute cartoons and stickers. Of course a Planner can not be seen as being disorganized so all the accouterments to a Filofax are neatly stored in a special Craftmate Filo or binder, ready to be used whenever the mood strikes. Folios usually start out as passport or travel holders that then become modified to hold whatever the owner desires.

It is because of this new found world that I have become intrigued by all this and have scoured websites and pages dedicated to the ‘Planner Life’. Some pages I see and I think, ‘this person has an actual addiction that may need attention!’ Other pages I see and nod my head in admiration for their skills in using their hobby to their advantage. One site I’ve come across that apparently has quite a following is called Websters Pages and I have to say I can see why they are so popular. The company is owned by a brother and sister duo who started out with their own printing company, Webster Fine Art, before launching into a more personal brand of scrapbook papers and planners and they now have a collection that out sells months in advance.

All things aside, this made me think about how to apply it to everyday life and I have started being more conscious of planning out my week so I don’t get caught out and miss something vital – like my daughters swimming class. By getting colorful and creative with my planning the rest of the family takes note and sees the silly doodles and then sees how they are involved in the day-to-day activities. By being organized and going through the up and coming week you get a sense of advanced warning so each week you are prepared for what lies ahead. It’s reassuring and helpful when a member of the household asks, “what’s happening on […]day?” Without having to thumb through pages or reach for the iPhone I can tell them instantly. Even my kids thumb through the pages and remind me of school goings on – get ’em started early and they’ll be more organized than most young kids!

This approach might not work for everyone – some people live through their electronics and enjoy the convenience of having every booking or appointment on their phone or tablet so that’s fine, but being able to constantly see a week ahead can be beneficial too. It’s quicker to jot down a note than get your phone, plug in your pass-code, open the app, open the keyboard, type/talk, save. Having a Filofax or planner visible can also give you motivation throughout your week. If you want to get something done, write it down so you can see it; that way there is a smaller chance of you either a) forgetting or b)procrastinating (my weakness!) I usually choose one task I would like to see done that week and if I manage to fulfill the task, I add something else.

If you want to see a well planned out organizer, check out My Purpley Life. Jennifer has a world of decorated planner pages that go way beyond what I could do but it’s well laid out and obviously helps her get through all her day-to-day tasks. It started with a love for all things crafty and progressed into a need for organization which introduced her to Filofax. She is currently one of the creative planner designers for Websters Pages, to list one of many attributes to various companies.

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts I am a lover of the physical book, paper and creative arts and crafts so to see a strong community promoting the use of the beloved Filofax is fantastic and I think we could all use a little color in our lives. Taking time to sit and plan out your life while adding color and perhaps some sparkle is a fun way to loose some time and be immersed in making life more than just mundane. Why not consider doing the same? Do you have a planner gathering dust somewhere? Bring it out, spruce it up and keep it visible so you can feel more in control of your week.

This post reallly struck a chord with me – I live on my laptop but despite best efforts have never been able to fall in love with electronic organising! But I feel like I should, and end up not doing anything. My Mum bought me a pocket diary for Christmas this year and I’ve been pretending not to love it as much as I do – having something tangible to hold feels so much more right for me. I had no idea there was a whole sub-culture of paper-organisers out there – I feel liberated! Thanks!

No problem! Oh it a massive underground movement – I had no idea about them either until I joined Instagram – I honestly thought I was a dying breed of Filofax lovers but now I know there are plenty of us out there, unwilling to give in to the electronic organizer 🙂